A moment in time

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, best moment, blogging and tagged with Blogging, Life May 2, 2013

Best Moment Award It’s my busy season at work. I tend to get stretched a little too far and wound a little too tight this time of year as I maneuver my way into the hope of rest and relaxation in the upcoming summer months.

So I find myself looking ahead much like this quote attributed to cartoonist Bill Watterson, the guy who draws the lovable Calvin & Hobbes comic strip: “We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.”

I suppose taking the time to enjoy where we are could be called living in the best moment. Well, one of those best moments happened along my way recently.

Even though I’ve been a little derelict in blogging lately because of time restraints, I’ve managed to attract some new readers. And if you’re one of those delightful people who clicked the follow button, thank you for joining me and my world here at Mama’s Empty Nest. I hope you find something worthwhile to read, enjoy, or maybe even inspire you here – maybe even your own little moment in time.

One of those new readers is A Blessed Pilgrim, at His Eye Is On the Sparrow. I haven’t had a tremendous amount of time to spend perusing her posts, but what I have read makes me desirous for more. Her blog title and tag line – “Because without Him, I’m challenged! Finding hope in hopelessness” – touches my heart.

On one of my harried days in the middle of a hectic week, I quickly logged into my blog to find some new comments waiting for my approval. One of them was from Blessed Pilgrim alerting me that she had nominated my blog for not just one but two awards – the “Best Moment Award” and the “Liebster Blog Award.”

Now I know not everyone appreciates these awards, but when a reader takes the time to notice my blog and give me this gift of letting others know about me, I want to thank that person and show my appreciation. I’ve received the Liebster award previously, so I’m going to pass on it, except to thank Blessed Pilgrim for sending it my way again.

The Best Moment Award caught my eye because I haven’t seen it before. So I clicked on Blessed Pilgrim’s blog post in order to read more about this honor. As I read her words, they brightened my day.

Here’s what she wrote: “Blogger awards are a good kind of chain letter. They are to bless the nominated blogger who gets them, and bless those they recommend. Unlike chain letters, there is no evil curse at the end if one doesn’t follow through. Thank heavens; there is enough bad stuff out there. They are kind of like the Halloween Trick-or-Treat without the Trick.”

I liked that! Of course, I’m all about treats!

So please, go visit Blessed Pilgrim’s blog and indulge me as I follow the rules for the Best Moment Award: 1)Placing the award on your blog (lined up on my Awards Page); 2)Answer a few questions (giving you some insight into what makes me tick); and 3)Nominate some of your favorite bloggers (there are so many, so please don’t feel slighted if I missed you).

Best Moment Award Questions:

Who inspires you? I’d say first of all, the Lord God inspires me. Everywhere I look, I see His handiwork…in nature, in people, in the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches I experience. How could all of those things created by Him not inspire me? Next, I would say so many of my fellow bloggers inspire me with their words, their pictures, their thoughts, and their encouragement.

What is the hardest part about blogging, if any? For me, it’s finding enough time to develop all of the many, many ideas zooming around in my brain and jotted down in my notebook.

What is your favorite quote? Oh my, that’s difficult since I am a keeper of quotes. I love so many, but I’m going to go with a simple one. “Just keep swimming.” ~ by Dory the Fish in Finding Nemo (Surprised you with that one, huh?)

What is your favorite dessert? I love chocolate but when it comes to having an evening dessert, chocolate keeps me awake at night! So my favorite dessert is a really good lemon meringue pie or maybe key lime. Yum.

What skill do you wish you had taken the time to learn when you were growing up? Learning how to cook and bake like my mother. I still haven’t managed to make a good pie crust like she did.

What is the one activity you wish you had the time to pursue? Photography. I love taking photos especially with my new camera and if I had a little more free time, I’d read my camera’s instruction book cover to cover to really understand all of its features and maybe even take a photography class. Ah, maybe I can carve out some time this summer for this pursuit.

If money was no issue, where would you like to travel? I’d do a grand tour of Europe with extra time spent in England where a great many of my ancestors came from. And then I think I’d journey to Australia.

What is your favorite holiday? Hands down, it’s Christmas. I love every single thing about it. The decorating, the food, the greetings, the gifting, the music, and most of all, the remembrance of the greatest gift ever given to mankind.

What is your favorite pastime? I work crossword puzzles almost every day. I find it helps my memory and keeps my mind sharper, plus I’m compulsive enough to want to finish each one completely.

What book are you currently reading? I’m continually reading my Bible. I’m also in the middle of a couple books about God’s grace. And to throw a different flavor into the mix, I like to go back and re-read some classics. Right now, it’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

Do you play a musical instrument? As a young girl, I took piano lessons for several years, so I can play that instrument. Am I good at it? Well, let’s just say I enjoy my own little concerts by myself in my living room.

And now…drum roll please…these are my nominations for the Best Moment Award. These bloggers always provide amazing fodder for my eyes either to read or see through their photographs. (Click on their blog names to visit them!)

Montana Outdoors

These Days of Mine

Living in Graceland

Georgette Sullins Blog

Virginia Views

The two bloggers I’ve listed below don’t even know that I exist. They are well-known and have thousands of followers and I am just one of them. But I love what they write, and have found some best moments reading their blogs, and maybe you will too.

Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience

Angie Smith’s Bring the Rain

On this best day of the year, whether you’re a blogger or just a blog reader, I hope you find some inspiration to live in your best moment.

It’s the best day of the year

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in beginnings, New Year's, writing and tagged with Blogging, Life January 1, 2013

Glistening snow wraps the rolling landscape around my home in winter white. Traffic is practically non-existent on the country road that meanders in front of our house. All is quiet as we sit snugly and warm inside our wintry snow globe world.

Tranquility reigns inside our house as well, but each room appears stark and barren since the Christmas decorations and fa-la-la-ery are packed away for another year-long wait.

The family is spread hither and yon once again, the bedrooms empty of suitcases and laughter. The showers are silent and even the dishwasher has been given a little reprieve.

Mama in her kerchief and Dad in his cap settle in for the winter, along with a yawn or two from Callie, the calico cat, who occasionally rises from her naps to wander through the house in search of a warm lap to curl upon.

Another New Year has arrived.

Last year, New Year’s Day dawned with a sense of excitement and anticipation with the knowledge that there would be three weddings to plan. But last year is now history and those joy-filled moments we all experienced are now sweet memories.

Sitting at the kitchen table with a hot cup of tea, I glance outside at the winter landscape and think how the pure white blanket of untouched fallen snow resembles blank pages of this new year stretched ahead of me.

What will I write about this year? What events and thoughts shall I chronicle?

These words from my ever-growing notebook of quotes seem fitting to describe my contemplations on this New Year’s Day:

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.” ~ T.S. Eliot.

It’s true – last year’s language overflowed with wedding joy. And while the weddings have ended, my children’s new lives as married couples have just begun.

And I think to myself that I must also welcome new beginnings and this year’s words need a different voice.

I’m not a maker of resolutions. I never keep them, and frankly, get bored trying to keep them. Instead, I approach life as it comes and if I resort to any resolve at all, it is to live the day better than I did the day before.

I also don’t make bucket lists. There are just too many things in the world to see, to do, to experience and it overwhelms me to even think about making such a list. But I do make lists, just lists of things to do each day, things to accomplish, things to finish. And I relish crossing those things off my list with gusto.

Two years ago on New Year’s Day, I choose to write with a distinct purpose in mind for 2011. I envisioned that year as an open book of opportunity and decided to address each blog post in that vein with each day a page in each of the 12 chapters (months). If you missed that, you may read about it by clicking here.

I considered reopening my book called Opportunity again to serve as a steering wheel while I navigate through the coming year. But I’ve come to realize I enjoy changes, variety, spice in life, so a different impetus must propel my blog forward into the next 12 months.

So in what direction should I aim my writing this year? With a blank page in my to-do lists and an even blanker page in the new book entitled 2013, I turned to my guidebook for life, my Bible, God’s Word.

And the pages so easily fall to my favorite scripture of all. My guiding words. My life verse, if you will.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Be joyful. Not just on wedding days, but every day.

Pray continually. Not just at night before you go to sleep, but throughout the day as the Spirit prompts.

Give thanks in all circumstances. Not just for things, events, or occurrences that are favorable – those you like – but for all things, even if they prove difficult.

For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. My joy does not depend on my circumstances, it depends on my relationship with my Savior.

And what has He done for me? Too much to even attempt to relate, but He has given me life, both this one and one to come. And He has given me a New Year to live better than I have before.

A new blank page upon which to write the blessings of each day.

“That’s it!” I thought. Another quote jumped off my quotes notebook page and shouted, “Look at me! This is what you must do:”

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

And so I begin writing on my heart that this fresh, sparkling, new first day of January, 2013 is the best day in the year. Why? Because…

“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!”

~ William Arthur Ward

Happy New Year from Mama’s Empty Nest! May God grant you the opportunity to sing more joyful songs this year and see, as I hope to see, reasons why each day is the best day in the year.

Danke, my liebster

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, blogging, friendship and tagged with Blogging, Life November 16, 2012

When you take a hiatus from blogging, you worry a bit.

You worry that your readers will forget about your blog. You worry that you disappoint those faithful readers that do remain in your blogging circle when there’s nothing new for them to read.

And you worry that when you do return to the blogging world, no one will want to read what you write.

Being overwhelmed by the wedding world these last few months, I’ve taken a few breaks from blogging. It was necessary to try to retain my sanity while preparing for all three of my adult children’s weddings.

But each time I returned, there you were – my faithful readers, my friends who proved they weren’t just fair-weather friends. And you, my dear ones, are liebster.

Liebster (pronounced: leeb-stir) is a German word meaning sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.

How do I know this? I learned it straight from my blogging buddy Dor at Virginia Views. She recently was awarded The Liebster Blog Award and most graciously passed the torch to Mama’s Empty Nest. Dor is definitely liebster.

According to Dor, this award “recognizes up and coming bloggers and winners are asked to ‘pay it back and forward.’ The award is given to those bloggers who have less than 200 followers.”

The Rules for the Liebster Award are as follows:

Link back to the blogger who gave you this award.
Post the award to your blog.
Post 11 things about yourself.
Answer the questions asked of you, plus create 11 new questions for your nominees to answer.
Nominate 11 people you think deserve the award and link them to your post.
Go to their pages and tell them they have been chosen.

Linking back to my friend Dor’s blog is easy to do and I’m pleased to recommend her blog to all my friends and readers. Posting the award on my blog – also easy. There it is, positioned in this post, and taking up a little space on my awards page.

Now comes the not so easy thing.

Post 11 things about yourself. Well, here goes!

1) Unless you know me personally, this may come as a surprise to you because since I began blogging, I’ve kept anonymous. To some, I’m only known as Mama or MEN (Mama’s Empty Nest). But my real name is Cindy.

2) I’ve been married to the most wonderful but sometimes wacky man for 35 years. And unless I was a child bride, which I wasn’t, that tells you I am definitely middle-aged, or as I like to call it, on the down slide to 60.

3) I’m not crazy about dogs. The feeling is not mutual, however. They appear to love me.

4) I am fanatical about ice cubes. I must have ice in any cold drink, whether it is sweet tea, unsweetened tea, soda (or as we call it here – pop), or just plain water. Must. Have. Ice.

5) I love sleeping in a cold bedroom. In the dead of winter when it’s freezing outside, snow on the ground, cold wind blowing, you may drive past my house at night and you’ll notice that my bedroom window is open a tad. This habit evolved because of those dratted menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats years ago, but now both hubby and I prefer a cold bedroom since we sleep better at cooler temperatures. Brrr…in a good way!

6) I drive an all-wheel drive vehicle for one purpose – to make it out of my uphill driveway every winter. When it snows here at Mama’s Empty Nest, it blows and drifts and makes my driveway a challenge. Plus, I love my Freddy Forester (the name I dubbed my trusty SUV).

7) This is the seventh item in my list of things about me, so it seems fitting to relate that this is my seventh year of living cancer-free, for which I am so very thankful.

8) I like the number 8. I don’t really know why, I just do. If I were an ice skater, I’d skate figure eights a lot.

9) I just don’t understand why everyone wants to read on Kindle. Really, reading on a screen is not nearly as relaxing as cozying up with a real, honest-to-goodness paper and binding book, turning real pages that I can feel in my hands, and locating a real bookmark to keep my place. And browsing libraries and book stores is soothing to me. Firing up a hand-held electronic device just doesn’t create the same feeling, virtually. Call me a dinosaur. I can take it.

10) This item seems like a dichotomy, but it’s true. I like lots of open space in a house; closed-in spaces make me feel claustrophobic. But wide open spaces like the prairie in the central part of our country almost frighten me. Go figure.

11) I’m happy and relieved to report that I survived this year – our “Year of the Weddings” in which all three of our adult children married. It was stressful and most joyful all at the same time and I believe I’m still someone sane from the experience. I know I am thrilled beyond measure to add three more wonderful people to our family! For those of you who want to see photos from the last wedding held just a couple of weeks ago, hang on. They’re coming soon, I promise.

Here are the 11 questions Dor chose for us lucky award recipients:

1) If you could go anywhere in the world and stay for a month, where would you choose to go? My first thought was a nice, warm, sunny beach somewhere, but then I thought, “Nah….I’d get weary of just lounging on a beach for an entire month.” So where would I spend a month anywhere in the whole wide world? I think I’d go to the country of my ancestors – merry old England. And even though it probably wouldn’t be warm or sunny, I’d explore the old country as much as I possibly could and imagine my ancestors living there.

2) What is your hobby? Besides blogging, I love to take photographs, but I’m really such an amateur. I’m an avid crossword puzzle solver. I’m a reader when I have time and I used to enjoy crafts.

3) What was your childhood dream? Don’t laugh. My fondest childhood dream was an aspiration to be famous. I decided early on in my life that I was either going to be a famous actress or a famous writer. Unfortunately, I am neither.

4) What was the best gift you ever received? Just recently, I received a gift that left me speechless. But I’m going to leave you in suspense over that one because I plan to write a post about it very soon. Stay tuned!

5) What is your favorite movie? That is hard to narrow down because I like a lot of movies. Many of my favorite movies are old ones like It’s a Wonderful Life and The Thin Man.

6) Who is the person who inspired you the most? I’d have to say there were two people – my parents. My mom battled cancer for less than a year before she succumbed. She battled bravely without complaining, without regrets, without feeling sorry for herself. Instead she chose to be grateful for the life she had been given and the blessings that surrounded her. I hope I am half the person she is. My dad also inspired me as he was the most kind, gracious, well-liked and respected man. He also never said anything harsh or unpleasant about anyone. I’d like to follow in his footsteps and be a chip off the old block, but I have to keep working on that.

7) What is your favorite dessert? Anything chocolate, except when eaten after 7 p.m. when the caffeine in the chocolate keeps me up all night.

8) What is your favorite quote? Oh, that’s difficult because I am an ardent collector of quotes. I love quotes and keep them in a notebook. I could choose a poignant quote, a philosophical one, even a scripture from God’s Word could qualify as a favorite. But I may surprise a few people with this quote that I think says it all: “Just keep swimming.” ~ Dory in Finding Nemo

9) What do you do for relaxation? I sit. Honestly, that’s what I do to relax. I sit and I’m quiet and I de-stress.

10) What is your favorite remembered scent/smell from childhood? The clean, fresh scent of soap. It reminds me of my mother.

11) If you could be a character in a book, who would you choose to be? Hands down, Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. No matter how many times I read that book, I always find myself admiring this character.

Now it’s my turn to pass the Liebster on to my list of 11 must-read bloggers, although I don’t know if my honorees have less than 200 followers or not. I only know that I follow them and they are dear friends of mine.

They are my go-to list, but I want to tell my new followers that I just haven’t had time to check out your blogs yet. I have a lengthy list of new folks to read about and I’m hoping to do just that ~~soon~~ after the holidays are over and the long winter sets in.

Some of my faves don’t really get into these awards that much, and that’s just fine. Whatever floats my boat may sink yours, so I won’t be offended if you choose not to respond to the Liebster Award and its rules.

But if you are feeling whimsical and want to answer my 11 questions, here they are:

1) If you made a bucket list, what would be the number one item on that list?

2) What is your favorite holiday?

3) How did you decide on the name of your blog?

4) What is one of your most beloved family traditions?

5) What is your all-time favorite thing in the world to eat?

6) Where have you traveled that is the farthest away from your home?

7) Which is better – television, movies, or book?

8) If you celebrate Christmas, when do you open gifts, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

9) If you own a Kindle, why do you like it? If you don’t, why not?

10) It’s almost Thanksgiving, for what are you most thankful?

11) Have you ever met one of your blogging buddies in person? What was the experience like?

I’m grateful for my readers and my blogging buddies, for my oldest and dearest friends and my new, endearing ones, for the opportunity to be honored and the chance to honor someone else.

Danke schön, mein liebster lesern.

(Thank you very much, my dearest readers. Not sure I got that German correct, but I tried!)

Might as well face it

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in addicted to blogging, awards, blogging, writing and tagged with Blogging, Friendship September 4, 2012

“Fanaticism for anything is addiction.” ~ Unknown

Back in the ‘80s, Robert Palmer released the song, “Addicted to Love.” I’m fairly certain it was that decade, but my recollection of the 80’s is kind of dim.

You see I was addicted back then. Oh no, not addiction to any kind of substance. Instead, I was addicted to something I wasn’t getting enough of…sleep.

The 80’s were my decade of birthing children and moving our household from place to place, so I tend to remember that decade as being in a fog. My world revolved around having babies, nursing them, cleaning up after them, and packing up all of our belongings.

Three children and five moves later, that decade of daze ended and I finally started getting enough sleep again to realize what was happening in the world outside my window.

Somehow through it all, I remembered that song and I found it running through my mind the other day when one of my blogging buddies, Dor at Virginia Views, nominated me for the Addictive Blog Award. I truly feel honored that she finds my writing addictive. I know I’m definitely a fan of her blog!

It’s true that I definitely have found myself addicted again. Yes, I’m a fanatic. No, I’m not addicted to any kind of substance (unless you count sweet tea!). Instead, I’m addicted to blogging – both writing my own and reading all the fun, entertaining, inspiring, and amazing blogs out there in cyberspace.

Just for fun, I searched online for the lyrics to “Addicted To Love” and I found they aptly describe my blogging addiction! Here they are with my little side notes:

Your lights are on, but you’re not home [My blog lights up online, but right now I’m too busy to write much.]
Your mind is not your own [True, my mind is too consumed with going bridal right now.]
Your heart sweats, your body shakes [I’m missing my blogging ‘fixes,’ I tell ya!]
Another kiss is what it takes [Just a little kiss of reading my friends’ blogs would be so nice, but who has time for kissing?]

You can’t sleep, you can’t eat [Too much on my plate keeps me awake at night, and it’s not food. And then there are all those ideas for new posts rolling around in my brain.]
There’s no doubt, you’re in deep [Been seriously blogging for over 2 years now, although I started my first blog a few years ago.]
Your throat is tight, you can’t breathe [Look at all my friends’ blog posts lined up in my Reader! Finding enough time to read them all is giving me a panic attack!]
Another kiss is all you need [Sweet comments here and there lets me know my blog’s not forgotten during my hiatus!]

You like to think that you’re immune to the stuff…oh yeah [Sure, I can take a break from blogging without a problem…oh yeah (sarcasm)]
It’s closer to the truth to say you can’t get enough [Oh, how I miss blogging, it’s true, I can’t get enough!]
You know you’re gonna have to face it, You’re addicted to love [You know I’m gonna have to face it, I’m addicted to blogging!]

Might as well face it you’re addicted to love. [Yeah, I get the message.]

Well, while I’m confessing here, I’m also gonna have to face it, I’m addicted to blog awards. It’s a sweet kiss of friendship and appreciation to be nominated for a blog award, and I gratefully accept those gifts of blogger love.

Just recently, one of my readers commented that my cup is overflowing right now due to all our family weddings. Well, it seems my cup overflows in the blogging world too.

Not only did I receive the Addictive Blog Award last week, but also was nominated for three others: Thinking of You from Dianna at These Days of Mine and One Lovely Blog and Versatile Blog both from Kate at Believe Anyway.

Blog awards are great because they provide a little feedback for the writer. You realize that people do read your posts and they like what they read. That feeds anyone’s addiction.

But for me, the best part of the awards is they often come from fellow bloggers that I’ve made such an amazing connection with. These gals really float my boat with their own writing. Thank you, Dor, Dianna, and Kate! Even though we’ve never met in real life, I feel like you are the dearest of friends!

I’d prefer not to lump all of the blog award acceptances into one post, but in the interest of time, I am doing just that. Forgive me, my sweet blogging award friends.

The Addictive Blog Award rules:

Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog. Dor, you are a true gem! Thank you so much.

Share a little bit about why you started blogging. I’ve always been a writer and found it easy to put my feelings and thoughts into words since I was a child. But as a busy wife and mom raising children, running a household, doing volunteer work, and eventually working at a part-time job for a non-profit organization, writing wasn’t a priority. I actually started a blog seven years ago when I was recuperating from cancer surgery. But once I recovered, I stopped writing in it. After my nest became empty, I finally had free time on my hands – and peace and quiet – to start blogging once again. This time, writing helped me express the emotions of all the major life changes I was experiencing.

Copy and post the award onto your own blog. Boom, done, finished!

Nominate up to ten other bloggers you think are addictive enough to deserve the award. Here are some of my addictions:

Thinking of You Award rules:

Link back to the sender. Dianna, you are another true gem! I keep thinking someday we’re going to meet!
Tell seven things that I love and that I think about daily:

My relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.
My family. I love my husband, my kids, and their beloveds. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how blessed I am to have them.
My friends. I have some of the most loyal, long-lasting friendships. Some are silver and some are gold (a reference to the old song “Make New Friends, But Keep the Old.” Some are nearby, some are far-away, but I love every one of these gals!
Life in the country. Just the other day on a trip to suburbia, hubby and I discussed how much we love our simple and quiet rural life.
Tea. I’m not a coffee person, but each morning when I awake, I think of having my nice hot cup of tea. Before caffeine bothered me enough to keep me up at night, I used to have a hot cup of tea in the a.m. and another one before I went to bed. Now if there’s tea in the evening, it better be herbal or decaffeinated or Mama’s not getting any sleep!
Photography. Even though I am just a very inexperienced amateur, I love taking pictures and looking at other photographers’ shots. Every day, I keep an eye open for an interesting picture to capture. Someday I hope to afford a better camera.
Blogging. Blogging has opened up a new world for me and I think has made me a better writer. But more importantly, it’s given me an amazing community – another circle of friends – that I longed for, but didn’t realize it. And there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about writing in my blog. Alas, right now blogging is low man on my totem pole.

Pass the award to seven other blogs:

Rules for One Lovely Blog Award and Versatile Blogger Award:

Give generous thanks to the blogger that nominated you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Kate!

Write seven things about yourself. Can I please cheat and refer to the list of seven things in the above award?

Make a list of 15 bloggers you admire and let them know how awesome they are! These folks are the next round of honorees for the One Lovely Blog Award and The Versatile Blogger Award. Can I cheat again and nominate all of the bloggers I mentioned above??? Every one of them is worthy of this award and many, many more such awards. Please go visit their sites and let them know how amazing they are.

If you’re like me, you might as well face it, you’re addicting to blogging!

Call out the bucket brigade, ’cause I’m on fire

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, blogging and tagged with Blogging, Home, Life July 12, 2012

I don’t know what the weather’s been like where you live, but here we had quite a hot spell with high temperatures and humidity. Given my dislike of that kind of weather, I felt like I could just have burst into flames. Spontaneous combustion anyone?

Thank goodness for air conditioning, otherwise I would have been calling out the bucket brigade to douse the flames of heat. But this week, the temps have fallen into more doable digits (at least for me) and thankfully, cooler nights have returned.

I admit I moaned and groaned a lot inside my air-conditioned house because I couldn’t open any windows to get fresh air since doing so was like living in an oven. I really covet cool, fresh air to sleep well at night. Yes, I wilted and whimpered when I had to be outside for any length of time too. As it turns out, I was on fire anyway; I just didn’t know it!

Yesterday as I read some of my favorite fellow bloggers’ posts, I learned that my blog has been awarded the “Blog On Fire Award.” Whew, last week during our hot spell, that really would have been appropriate! But even though my blog was named ‘on fire’ this week, I’m quite comfy and happy with both the award so graciously given to me by my good friend, Dianna, over at These Days of Mine, – thank you so much! - and the cooler weather at my house.

This award only requires me to link back to the person who bestowed the honor upon me, list eight interesting facts about myself, and pass the award to some of my favorite blogs. Dianna invited her calico cat Sundae to ‘write’ her acceptance post and list eight facts about her kitty life.

Just chillin’ under the family room ceiling fan

I thought that was a fun idea, so I asked my ~~prima donna~~ calico cat, Callie, to ‘write’ this post and let you learn fascinating tidbits about her. So here’s Callie (in italics) with her ~~two~~ eight cents:

1. I am definitely Mama’s cat — I hate the heat as much as she does! Papa always feeds me first thing in the morning, and then I’m ready to go exploring outside. But just because I don’t come running when one of them calls me, they leave me outside when they go to work! When Mama comes home in the afternoon, I’m roasted! I can’t wait to get into the air conditioned house, plop down on the cool kitchen floor, and wait until she brings me cool water to drink. Or sometimes, I just situate myself on the coffee table under the ceiling fan in the family room.

2. I know it seems beneath my dignity as a cat because it’s a ‘dog’ thing to do, but I will do tricks for treats. I will sit on command, dance in a circle, beg, and then get my own treats out of the treat jar – I try to grab a big paw full. I love those treats!

3. I’m the official yard guardian. I see those pesky other critters that try to sneak into Papa’s vegetable garden. I keep my eye on them in case they get too close, and then POW! I’ll pounce on them or chase them. Just the other day, I caught a mole and proudly deposited it right outside the French door on the deck…right where my humans would see it. Well, Mama almost stepped on it…in her bare feet….I’m still not sure why she got so mad about that. I mean she sure seemed happy when I caught all those dumb field mice that were nesting under the deck.

Me with one of my fun, young ones

4. Sometimes I have to admit it gets kinda lonely around here with all my fun humans (the young ones) gone. I really like it when they come back home to see me. I get so excited I twirl in circles, rub against them, and even lick my boy’s ears. (Well, he’s all grown up now so I guess you would call him a man.) Gosh, I miss them! When our Grandpa person was still alive, he mowed our yard and I was so afraid of his big green tractor. I liked him a lot, but not that noisy tractor of his! I wouldn’t go near that thing. But now that he’s gone, and we have his green tractor in our garage, I like to lay on it a lot. Mama thinks I miss Grandpa, and you know what? She’s right.

5. I love being outside in the dark, but Mama and Papa won’t let me go out at night any more. Just because I’ve been sprayed a couple of times by a skunk, I guess. I really didn’t see what the big deal was about that and why Papa gave me a weird bath — twice! I really don’t like baths – weird or otherwise!

What does he see in that thing, anyway?

6. Sometimes I get irritated when Mama pays more attention to that strange box thing she puts on her lap than me. So I just jump up on her and walk across the part where she makes her fingers go. Sometimes I lay down right on it, so she will pet me. But then, how rude! She just shoves me off. Papa seems to spend a lot of time on his box thing too, so I climb on the back of the love seat to try to attract his attention. If he ignores me, I jump on him.

7. I love bling! The shinier, the better. If Mama takes her jewelry off and forgets to put it away, I always find it and carry it in my mouth to a place where I can play with it. I’ve tried to pull bracelets off her arm, earrings out of her ears, and one time even hid her diamond engagement ring from her for two days! Shiny jewelry makes such a fun toy! I don’t get it when she calls me a ‘cat burglar.’

8. I’m such a lady, I don’t like to make much noise, so I don’t meow very loudly. So unladylike to howl, if you ask me. My litter box is in the garage, so when I need to ‘go,’ I sit at the door and stare at my people. If they don’t see me, I go find them, slap them a little with my paw, and then run back to the door. Finally, they get the drift! Humans really can be so dense sometimes! Since I’m a very quiet meower, I used to scratch at the garage door when I wanted back inside the house, but boy, did that make Mama mad. So a few years ago, she hung a big jingle bell on the garage door knob. When I want in, I just ring the bell. They come running to let me in, just like Pavlov’s dogs! HA! Yep, Mama and Papa think they’ve ‘trained’ me, but I know who’s the boss. Just don’t let Mama know that I told you that. She likes to think she’s in charge around here.

So now that Callie told you all her little intricacies, it’s my turn again to write. As for naming blogs who deserve this award, several of my blogging friends already seem to have it or they are not that into awards. So I’m deviating from the norm here. I think if you’re a reader and you’re also an avid writer, you’re already “on fire” as writing is probably one of your passions. So please accept this award if you’d like it.

As for me, I know I’ll never throw a bucket of water on my passion to be ‘on fire’ to write, but I sure hope to stay cool while doing so. And on that note, I’m off to get a nice tall glass full of ice cubes and iced tea. I may be on fire, but I know how to stay cool.

ABC…not quite as easy as 1,2,3

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in ABC, awards, blogging, friendship and tagged with Blogging, Home, Life April 10, 2012

The Jackson Five sang it…. “ABC, it’s easy as 1, 2, 3…”

Uh-huh. Sometimes blogging is as easy as ABC. An idea pops into your head, you sit at the computer, and the words just flow out of you like a prolific fountain.

But at other times, chalk it up to writer’s block or just being plain old unmotivated, nothing’s coming forth. As easy as one, two, three though, there’s an entire world of bloggers to turn to for encouragement.

That why I enjoy my little blogging community. I’ve made some amazing friends and they never cease to inspire and also encourage me with their comments and appreciative thoughts. When one of them remarks how awesome a post is or that it is beautifully written, it just makes my heart glad enough to do a little happy dance.

One of those sweet writer/friends is Dianna at These Days of Mine. Recently, she received a well-deserved honor, the ABC (Awesome Blog Content) Award. She graciously presented this accolade to my blog as well and I couldn’t be more grateful for this lovely tribute.

It’s easy to accept a complimentary tribute…easy as ABC. The acceptance requirement, listing 26 things about yourself in alphabetical order, proved to be a little more difficult, but after a ~~few~~ …er… many days of mulling this over, I finally thought of descriptive phrases from A to Z to describe little ol’ me.

I am:

A – an American alto but I sing our national anthem in soprano.

B – a blogger trying to balance posts that bring stories to life via words against photos that bring words to life. Hopefully, that didn’t boggle your mind!

C – a cat owner of one chubby calico named Callie.

D – a dabbler who finds delight in photography and details, not drama.

E – efficient and effective, an empty nester wishing for more energy.

F – a person of faith, fond of family, friends, and fellowship.

G – genuine and genial and gossip makes me groan.

H – headstrong but helpful and hopeful.

I – an ice cube fanatic as well as an ice water and iced tea drinker.

J – a former journalist who jots down joy.

K – keen on keepsakes but not knick-knacks.

L – a logical list maker and lover of life.

M – the mother of three marrying kids.

N – a nice but not noisy neighbor.

O – an ocean observer who oooos over office products.

P – a Pennsylvanian with ancestors who were peers of William Penn.

Q –interested in quilts, quotes, quaint places, and quirky people.

R – a reader, a rememberer, and a rejoicer.

S – saved by the grace of a sovereign Savior.

T – someone who treasures tranquility and travel.

U – an undeniably grateful uterine cancer survivor.

V – a vertically challenged (short) person who values vacations and the scent of vanilla.

W – warm and welcoming with a bit of a wacky side.

X – eXtra fond of my family and Xmas.

Y – the youngest of three sisters who loves the color yellow.

Z – someone who zooms and zips when she should stick to the speed zone, but only zapped once by the policeman’s radar gun. Zounds! That was an expensive lesson.

And now for the easy as one, two, three part of the award. I must name 10 other worthy bloggers for the ABC Award tribute. My favorite 10 are:

“ABC..

ABC, it’s easy,

Easy as 1, 2, 3

It’s like counting up to three

Or simple as Do, re, mi

Sing a simple melody,

That’s how easy [blogging] love can be!”

Enthusiastically inspired

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, inspiration and tagged with Blogging, Life March 15, 2012

“Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.” ~ Bo Bennett

What inspires you?

Is it nature? Music? A photograph? A person? Spoken words? Art work? History? Architecture? Literature?

I imagine if I asked 10 different individuals that very question, I would hear 10 unique responses. I suppose on any given day, entirely different aspects may inspire us depending on our mood for the day or circumstances in which we find ourselves.

I find sources of inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it’s in the beauty of my surroundings, especially when I take in the swirling colors of a sunset or the majesty of ocean waves or a beautifully unique nature scene painted in living color before my eyes. So capturing moments of beauty or wonder via photography often inspires me.

Other times, words themselves serve as inspiration. I’m fond of quotes and I accumulate and catalog them in my trusty, worn notebook like someone who collects treasured stamps or coins. I read through them to find inspiration for a blog post or just a thought to ponder for the day. The words of faith I find in my Bible also provide inspiration.

Inspiration is something I find difficult to describe, so I turned to my trusty thesaurus for help. Inspiration can be stimulus, spur, motivation, stimulation, encouragement, or a muse. It’s defined as creativeness, inventiveness, brilliance, or vision. Inspiration comes to us in the form of an idea, a brainwave, an insight, a flash, a brainstorm, or a revelation.

I’ve been blogging my thoughts on life for one year and eight months now. Sometimes inspiration for a blog post does come in a flash. Other times, I mull a concept over for days. Right now, my notebook is chock full of subjects to write about and the post-it note on my laptop lists more notions to develop into written word.

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate the most about blogging is the encouragement I derive from readers and blogging friends. My blog’s humble beginning was just a creative outlet for all the words, thoughts, and emotions that had been bottled up in my brain for many years. Never did I think my blog would develop a following of people who would actually want to read my writing! I soon realized that I didn’t just enjoy writing my own blog, I relished reading others.

Another surprising aspect has been that my fellow bloggers spark inspiration. So it is with heartfelt appreciation I acknowledge that two of my favorite bloggers recently received the Very Inspiring Blogger Award and they, in turn, nominated my blog for that honor. I can’t think of better encouragement than when other writers proclaim that what you write is inspiring and that you ‘keep the blogisphere a beautiful place.’

So I thank Dor at Technicolor Day Dreams for blessing me with this award and my good friend, Diana, at These Days of Mine for her gracious gift as well.

The award rules include acknowledging and thanking the giver (linking it back) and putting the award on your page; listing seven things about yourself, and passing the award to seven other bloggers. Dianna added a new spin by combining the very inspiring blogger award with another idea of answering seven specific prompts.

So being the over-achiever that I sometimes am, I decided to do both. First off, here is a list of seven things about me:

I am short and always wanted to be taller. Maybe one reason my tall husband caught my eye?
I’ve always wanted to visit England (home of some of my ancestors).
Sunshine makes me gloriously happy!
As a college girl, I often said I wasn’t getting married or having children. My, how our thoughts can change drastically. I wouldn’t trade my husband and three children for the most exciting career in the world.
I need lists to keep me on track.
Completing crossword puzzles sharpens my memory. I don’t recycle the daily crossword from the newspaper until I’ve finished the puzzle.
I still miss the sound of my dad’s voice and my mother’s hands.

Now I’ll complete the same seven prompts Dianna used:

I’m most creative … when I’m looking at a photograph. Pictures give me ideas for writing my blogs.

If I were a color, I’d be … yellow, it’s happy.

I often imagine myself … thinner!!!

I really wish I knew how to … play piano music from memory; I just can’t seem to be able to do this.

I’d love to spend a lazy Sunday … sitting in warm sunshine at the beach with all my family beside me.

I’m most excited about … my three children’s weddings!

My secret talent is … when someone gives me a word, I can usually sing a song lyric with that specific word in it.

Now it’s time to pass the award along to a few bloggers I find inspiring.

Weighed and measured and balanced

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in Balance, blogging, measured and found wanting, writing and tagged with Blogging, Home, Life, Writing February 23, 2012

You know how a line from a movie often permanently etches its way into your brain and comes to mind frequently?

A line from the movie, A Knight’s Tale, is one of those quotes for me. Adhemar, the villain, assaults defenseless underdog hero William and pummels judgment on him, “You have been weighed [punch], you have been measured [another punch], and you have been found wanting [final blow]. In what world could you possibly beat me?”

Every so often, even though I knew better, I compared myself to my peers, especially when it came to writing. And sometimes I thought I just didn’t measure up.

I confess that when I log in to my blog site, I check my daily stats because statistics float my boat. Stats have been high recently, but when I analyze the breakdown, I see reality.

Most ‘hits’ on my blog aren’t for reading purposes; instead search engines hit on images used in my posts. Actual readers of my blog seem quite low compared to search engine hits. Even my Wordless Wednesday photos get more action than my written posts.

I’m a simple writer. I don’t write elaborate, flowery sentences nor do I use a myriad of literary devices. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m a very creative writer either and I don’t write fiction. That’s probably why I don’t possess a burning desire to be a published novelist. There are no fully-developed characters or intricate plots bouncing around inside my brain ready to burst forth into life onto a blank page.

I write about basic, uncomplicated things that occur to me from everyday sources and often from my faith. I’m not much of a humor writer, nor am I satirical. I find many writers today to be irreverent, edgy, sarcastic, profane, or politically correct. I am none of those. I’m pretty certain some people may think I write schmaltz – excessive sentimentality.

Early in my blogging efforts, I once received a caustic comment which I chose not to publish because not only did it insult me, it insulted the God I serve. The commenter accused me, among other things, of writing “drivel.” That person is entitled to his/her opinion, but that schmaltzy drivel that I write comes sincerely straight from my heart. If that makes me mundane, so be it.

I figured out my writing style a long time ago. Once upon a time, I sat around my college dorm room composing really bad poetry and short stories in an effort to prove to myself, my peers, and my professors that I really was a “creative English major.” I also wrote scads of papers about symbolism, archetypal images, and other literary terms for my classes. But those papers were forced because identifying those aspects didn’t come naturally to me.

I was one of those rare English majors who liked grammar. Grammar makes sense to me. Diagramming sentences is a breeze because it’s logical. Syntax, sentence structure, is like an equation, which is why my Structures of English class earned me an easy A while my fellow English majors (those creative types who saw symbolism in everything I couldn’t, while spouting poetry at the drop of a hat) struggled to pass the tests.

I often questioned why I even had become an English major. I loved to read and I enjoyed writing since stringing sentences together was a piece of cake. I’m fairly sure those were the main two criteria I used to decide upon my major.

While enrolled in a journalism class, I realized writing about facts came extremely easy to me and was so much more enjoyable than writing about symbolism in a poem. Just give me the facts and I can weave them into a story pronto.

When I was a college senior and getting weary of college life, my university initiated a Communications major. Journalistic writing, speech, and oral interpretation classes, even acting, were more my speed than trying to identify archetypal images in Flannery O’Connor stories.

By this point though, I was already scheduled to student teach and since I was one semester away from graduation, now wasn’t the time to change majors. I also did not want to incur the extra expense or time required to earn a Communications degree, so I settled for my B.S. in English Education.

But somehow, I just never fit the English major role, no matter how hard I tried. I weighed and measured and found myself wanting. No doubt I’m too literal, facts oriented, and a realist to boot. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading classic works of literature, poetry, and drama; I’m just never going to be the writer of such worthy works. And I feel it’s safe to say you won’t see me on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

My English teacher days came to a halt when I realized I just didn’t like teaching. So instead I found a niche, for a time, writing feature stories in a daily newspaper, editing other people’s works, and volunteering to write and edit newsletters for various organizations.

All of these many years later, I am a blog writer. I shouldn’t compare my blog to others, but sometimes I attempt to ‘measure’ my writing by ‘weighing’ it against Freshly Pressed blogs on WordPress, or writers whose blogs I stumble upon, or bloggers/aspiring novelists.

So give me the facts, ma’am, just the facts. I’m a college-educated person with an English degree who really just writes because that’s what I do to express ideas that come to my mind. My one shot claim to fame being Freshly Pressed was possibly the only experience of hitting the ‘big time’ with my blog that I’ll get.

My writing probably does not appeal to the masses, to those on the cutting edge, or to those who want to read about social or political issues of the day (believe me, I have distinct opinions on those but I choose not to publish them), or those who like to read particular genres.

I am a writer of life. My life. Real life. My blog is a hodge-podge of thoughts, ideas, and experiences about family and faith because those things make up my life and give me joy each day in my book called Opportunity. I hit the publish button in an attempt to share some of that joy, or insight, or opportunity to brighten another person’s day or give them something to consider.

And I believe I’ve finally learned to stop trying to be like other writers and just be me. I’ve weighed, I’ve measured, and I’ve balanced.

See that Shakespeare class I took all those years ago really did teach me something because I have never forgotten a line in Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 3). The ill-fated Polonius, the King’s chief advisor/spy, gives fatherly advice to his departing son Laertes. “This above all: to thine own self be true…”

You! Yes, you!

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, blogging, following rules, friendship, praise, writing and tagged with Blogging, Friendship, Life, Writing January 19, 2012

If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.

That sounds like something my mother would have said to me when I was doing something wrong or not accomplishing what she asked of me.

“If I said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, go pick up your room,” I can imagine her saying. Matter of fact, I’m sure she did say it a thousand times. And I’m pretty certain I’ve used the same saying a thousand times on my own children too.

But today, that saying doesn’t refer to something negative. Today in my Opportunity book, that sentence gives me joy. Why? Because if I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times – I’ve ‘met’ some truly wonderful people through blogging.

While reading what other bloggers write, I’ve learned much about their characters and their lives while their stories humor, inspire and bless me. When a blogging buddy regularly reads my posts and offers interesting and uplifting comments, that blesses me too!

Recently, two blogging friends conferred more honor upon my little blogging world. Kate at kateschannel presented the Liebster Blog Award to Mama’s Empty Nest and Dianna at These Days of Mine gifted me with the All Around Wonderful Blog Award.

First, let me tell you about these two talented people before I divulge info about the awards. I first ‘met’ Kate when she commented on my blog and I was interested in getting to know who she was. That’s what I do. Leave a comment, I’ll visit your blog, see what you write about, peek in on your “about me” page.

Here’s what I’ve learned about my new friend, Kate. She has much experience in the communications field, so when she compliments my writing, I appreciate that. Kate is a die-hard Detroit sports fan and a work at home mom. I can tell she’s passionate about her family and her life in Michigan. And I like that about her!

I can’t remember exactly when my path crossed with Dianna’s, but I never miss reading this gracious lady’s blog because it brightens my day. Occasionally, her clever kitty, Sundae, may offer a guest post making me chuckle. Dianna and I share some commonalities: we’re around the same age, we are owned by beautiful but spoiled calico cats, we enjoy photography, and our families mean the world to us.

Now that I’ve introduced you to these two friends, here’s the scoop on the awards. The Liebster Blog Award is sweet because the German word means dearest, beloved or favorite. You can’t get any better than being someone’s favorite or beloved, so it warms my heart that Kate lists my blog in that category!

Like other blog awards, the Liebster rules require the honoree to pass the torch to five favorite blogs who have less than 200 followers. I’m not a fan of following the masses, so many of my favorite bloggers fit this requirement, so that wasn’t a challenge. Among my beloved blogs are writers who have already accepted this award, so I’m bestowing it upon those who haven’t received it yet to my knowledge.

I proudly pass the Liebster Blog Award to five of my favorites:

1) Homestead Ramblings HR is my go-to person. She and I have become very good friends since our early blogging days and I love both her blog and her! Her blog is always surprising as she writes about a myriad of subjects. Her faith and love for nature (and Alaska) shine through her posts.

2) Montucky Montucky’s spectacular photography mesmerizes me and I love clicking onto his blog to see his latest shot.

3) Watkins Every Flavor Beans This writer is my oldest daughter’s friend. A stay at home young mother of three handsome little fellows, she chronicles her family life while living in Scotland. Her creativity astounds me.

4) Dividing By Zero This guy can be incredibly funny or deep. He’s my personal friend from a long time ago, and I witnessed his humor daily when we were co-workers. I enjoy reading his talented writing because he always has thought-provoking things to say.

5) Laura’s Blog Another personal friend, Laura is one witty gal. She can wrap a rhyme around words in a flash and her humor is pointedly funny. She writes often about her faith and that’s one of the reasons I love her.

All Around Wonderful Blog Award - what an honor to be named “all around wonderful!” I gratefully accepted this award and the charming award badge that accompanies it.

The rules for accepting this award are “be a follower of this blog, pass the award on to 3 other blogs, and lastly, link the award back to this blog.”

Simple, right? But narrowing down my blogroll list to only three blogs for this honor proved difficult for me. I wanted to wrap it up like an unexpected present in cheerful, colorful paper tied with an exquisite, shiny ribbon and bestow it upon every single one of my blogging buddies.

But I am a rule follower so I’ll obey because I can hear my dear mom’s voice in my head saying, “If I told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times…”

So my choices for the All Around Wonderful Blog Award are:

1) Saturday Evening Porch When you go sit on my sweet Southern friend’s front porch, you’ll find yourself chuckling out loud. She has a clever knack of taking ordinary things and turning them into amusing stories because she’s such a wonderful story-teller.

2) Big Happy Nothing Amiable Amiable, lovingly known as AA, literally cracks me up. She’s funny, witty, yet can throw some poignancy into the mix so easily. She also is an all around wonderful story-teller.

3) Believe Anyway I’ve just recently become acquainted with this writer who created the Candle Lighter Award, but her enthusiasm for life and her faith is contagious. She is the eternal optimist and I think we need more wonderful people like her to brighten up this world.

I once read a quote by psychologist and philosopher William James that said, “What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise – although the philosophers generally call it ‘recognition’!”

So true. Every person does yearn for praise. To have the words and thoughts which I chronicle in this blog considered to be worthy of recognition truly provides me great joy. Today, I’m kind of like actress Sally Field as she accepted an Academy Award, “You like me, you really like me!”

Thank you, Kate and Dianna, for liking me! Thank you, fellow writers, for delighting me each day in our blogging community. You are such treasures! And finally, thank you to all those readers who click on my blogspace and light up my world.

“There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not. Stretch yourself and really get to know people. People are in many ways one of our greatest treasures.” ~ Bryant H. McGill

Go light your world

Posted by Mama's Empty Nest in awards, Candle Lighter Award, candles, light and tagged with Blogging, Home, Life January 6, 2012

A little light illuminates my world each time I fire up my laptop, whether it’s dark, dreary, or sunny be it daylight or evening.

Since I began this blogging journey, I have ‘met’ some truly incredible folks. I follow a number of blogs and reading what these intuitive and creative people write honestly brightens up my day.

This week started out snowy and it’s been cold and gray, but today as I write this post, I am joyful because the sun is shining brightly in a crystal blue sky. I’m sitting in my living room by a window and the welcomed sun’s brilliant rays of light stream through the curtain and warm my face.

And that reminds me of my blogging friends whose words of good cheer, humor, and encouragement warm my heart. This world we live in can seem so discouraging and dark. Often only bad news makes the headlines; we hear about how truly horrific we humans can be toward one another.

For me, all it takes to lighten my burden or brighten my outlook is one encouraging thought – one ray of light sending the darkness scattering. Some unknown person once said, “There isn’t enough darkness in all of the world to snuff out the light of one little candle.”

It reminds me why I have always loved my church’s candlelight service. The worship service begins at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve in a darkened sanctuary. At midnight, we usher the joy of Christmas Day’s arrival in when our pastor lights a candle from the Christ candle on the advent wreath and passes the light to another person.

In turn, all of us believers gathered there light our candles from one another until the church is filled with glowing radiance. As we sing “Silent Night” by glimmering candlelight, the old church bell peals outside in the cold, crisp air. The sight of flickering candles shining in believers’ faces as we recognize our Savior’s birth is a moving experience and brings me joy.

Recently, one of my blogging buddies, Happy Kids Happy Mom over at Play 101, passed some glimmering joy to me when she graciously awarded my blog The Candle Lighter Award. In her words, “This award is for those bloggers whose words light the way through the blogosphere.”

There are no rules for this award. It’s just a way of pointing out inspirational blogs. But I’m honored that she deems my words worthy of being candlelight in this dark world and I am humbled and grateful that she chose me as one of her nominees.

The Candle Lighter Award is relatively new here in blogger world. It originated with Kate at Believe Anyway for blogs “that bring light to the world [and offer] inspiration, hope, optimism, good advice, faith filled assurances, and even humor.”

I love the title of Kate’s blog, so naturally I checked it out. What I read in this post blessed my heart, especially after I had just chosen to commence this new book of Opportunity (the new year) focusing on one word – joy.

Here’s what Kate wrote, “… let’s light up the world with Candle Lighters. The world needs joy and lots of it. Let’s leave no one out who is adding to the world’s joy.”

Some of my blogging friends have already received this award, some of them don’t really care about these accolades, so I’m asking my readers to pass along the Candle Lighter Award. If you read a blog that inspires you and really lights up your world, send that writer a gift – this award.

“If you’re not lighting any candles, don’t complain about the dark.” ~ Author Unknown

Mama's Empty Nest

Exploring life after the kids are grown

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